Glossary
Baby Boom
A dramatic increase in the birth rate in the United States following World War II, lasting from the mid-1940s to the early 1960s.
Example:
The sheer number of children born during the Baby Boom led to a massive expansion of schools and later, a competitive job market for that generation.
G.I. Bill
Officially the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, this federal law provided a range of benefits to returning World War II veterans, including educational assistance, low-interest home loans, and unemployment benefits.
Example:
Thanks to the G.I. Bill, many veterans who might not have otherwise afforded it were able to attend college, leading to a more educated workforce.
Interstate Highway System
A vast network of controlled-access highways authorized by the Highway Act of 1956, primarily justified for national defense but also profoundly impacting transportation, economic development, and suburban growth.
Example:
The construction of the Interstate Highway System revolutionized travel, making cross-country road trips faster and boosting industries like trucking and motels.
Kennedy’s New Frontier
President John F. Kennedy's domestic program that aimed to address social and economic challenges through initiatives like federal aid to education, healthcare reform, and civil rights legislation.
Example:
Kennedy's vision for the New Frontier inspired a generation to public service, even though many of his legislative proposals faced resistance in Congress during his short presidency.
Levittown
A series of large-scale, mass-produced housing developments built by William J. Levitt and Sons, which offered affordable, standardized homes to meet the post-war housing demand.
Example:
A young family in the 1950s might have purchased their first home in Levittown, attracted by its affordability and the promise of a new, modern community.
Modern Republicanism
President Dwight D. Eisenhower's political philosophy that combined fiscal conservatism with the acceptance and extension of some New Deal social programs.
Example:
Eisenhower's Modern Republicanism meant he balanced the federal budget while also expanding Social Security and creating the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
Post-War Boom
The period after World War II (1945-1960) characterized by significant economic growth, low unemployment, and a shift from an industrial to a service-based economy in the U.S.
Example:
During the Post-War Boom, families could often afford a single-income household and new consumer goods like televisions and washing machines.
Suburban Growth
The rapid expansion of residential areas outside of central cities, driven by increased housing demand, government-backed mortgages, and the development of the federal highway system.
Example:
The phenomenon of Suburban Growth meant that many families moved out of crowded city apartments into single-family homes with yards, often requiring a car for daily commutes.
Sunbelt States
A region of the United States stretching across the South and Southwest, which experienced significant population and economic growth after World War II due to warmer climates, lower taxes, and defense industry jobs.
Example:
Many retired individuals and defense workers relocated to the Sunbelt States, contributing to a shift in political power and economic influence away from the Northeast.
Taft-Hartley Act
A 1947 federal law that significantly restricted the power and activities of labor unions, notably by outlawing closed shops and allowing states to pass "right-to-work" laws.
Example:
The Taft-Hartley Act was seen by unions as a "slave-labor law" because it weakened their ability to organize and strike effectively.
Truman’s Fair Deal
President Harry S. Truman's ambitious domestic agenda proposed in 1949, which aimed to expand New Deal programs by advocating for national health insurance, civil rights legislation, and increased social security benefits.
Example:
Despite facing significant congressional opposition, Truman’s Fair Deal laid the groundwork for future social programs, influencing later initiatives like the Great Society.